Hundreds on the run in Endcliffe Park

Endcliffe Park hosted a 2.5K fun run and a 10K main race, with both raising money for Weston Park Hospital. Our picture shows the start of the 2.5K race.

Published:09:00Saturday 29 September 2012

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IT has hosted a funfair and the BBC’s One Show in recent weeks, and this time Endcliffe Park offered a setting for hundreds of runners.

The ‘Ten Ten Ten’ attracted about 800 competitors for the main 10k event, and 80 for a 2.5k fun run.

The route last Sunday took runners on two laps of Endcliffe Park and into Bingham Park at the other side of Rustlings Road. Many raised money for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Doug Banks, of organisers Kandoo Events, said: “Some 10km routes take you straight down the middle of long boring roads. This takes you through a beautiful park.

”The philosophy behind our event is it is aimed at being more representative of the routes people take when they are training - how many people run down the middle of a dual carriageway in training?”

He added: “We have staged the 10km before, but this was the first time we had organised the fun run part to it and it proved popular and gave a nice family feel to the event. There were people of all ages involved. With the 10km there were people of all abilities, from very accomplished runners, who ended up in a sprint finish at the end for second and third place, and then there were first-timers having a go too, which was good to see.”

Coun Nikki Bond, who represents Nether Edge and is a member of Totley Running Club, said: “It was a great way to showcase our city and its green spaces and woodland.”

The race was won by Meles Ozbakghi in a time of 33 minutes and 20 seconds, four seconds ahead of Mark Rushbrook, with Carl Egdell a further two minutes and 24 seconds behind.